Senate Clears Way for Minimum Wage Vote (AP)

[Eugene]

Senate Clears Way for Minimum Wage Vote
Senate Clears Way for Minimum Wage Vote; Proposed Increase Divides
Business Over Tax Breaks

By JIM KUHNHENN

WASHINGTON Jan 30, 2007 (AP)— The Senate cleared the way for an increase in the
minimum wage Tuesday, but only with business tax breaks that House Democrats want
removed.

Final Senate passage of the legislation is expected later this week, setting the
stage for a round of difficult negotiations between House and Senate Democrats over
how to get the legislation to President Bush for his signature.

In a key test, the Senate voted 87-10 to end debate on the bill Tuesday, well clear
of the 60 votes needed.

-snip-

The vote Tuesday emphasized how Senate passage of the bill depends on the tax package
to attract Republican votes. The White House has also signaled that Bush wants tax
breaks in the legislation.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2835180

[quiet.american]

1. Sen. Kit Bond opined today that such a *drastic* hike would hurt small biz owners.

And that he could only support the bill if it contained tax incentives for small biz owners.

Drastic hike. $2 and change over two years. :eyes: Like Sen. Kennedy said, when it comes to the Republicans, it all comes down to greed.

[harlinchi]

2. Pass the legislation; resolve the problems in a conference committee!

It's what the GOP has been doing for years.